"Safeguarding Our Communities"

The following is a follow-up to the news conference held earlier today and is sent on behalf of Chief of Emergency Communications Jeffrey P. Miller.

All schools and critical infrastructure in the county will be supported with innovative safety technology from Rave Mobile Safety that speeds emergency response

NEW CASTLE, Del., Sep. 15, 2016- Public safety officials in New Castle County announced today that all schools and critical infrastructure will be protected by Rave Panic Button for a faster response to active shooter and other emergency situations. Rave Panic Button will enable 9-1-1, police, fire, and EMS to respond to crises much faster and with greater precision, providing a higher level of protection for the more than a half million residents countywide.

“The solution instantly dials 9-1-1 while simultaneously immediately alerting on-site personnel of the emergency and opening up a communication channel between responders and others involved in the incident,” said Chief of Emergency Communications Jeffrey P. Miller. “Rave Panic Button allows our response teams to save precious minutes, which can be the difference between life and death. It enables us to better protect our community across the spectrum of emergency types and is an invaluable augmentation to our capabilities..”

Only 31% of active shooter incidents last longer than five minutes, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. With such a small window to act, it is critical for 9-1-1 and first responders to be notified and dispatched quickly and for those at the scene to take immediate action. Rave Panic Button enables this with the push of a button.

With this enhanced technology, 9-1-1 serves as incident command and leverages the Rave Panic Button facility information and communication tools to update individuals on-site and enhance the situational awareness of first responders. This enhanced collaboration with personnel on-scene resolves incidents quicker for active shooter scenarios as well as day-to-day emergencies such as medical or fire incidents.

“Our students, faculty, and staff across the county deserve the best technology to protect them in our schools every day,” said Miller. “Every single day emergency calls are made from the schools for medical, fire or general safety issues. Using Rave Panic Button we can instantaneously connect teachers and school administrators with responders and each other. It also gives us the ability to improve communication around non-emergency events, ensuring daily use and familiarity with the application. The result is improved safety and peace-of-mind for staff, students and parents.”

Rave Panic Button, provided by Rave Mobile Safety, automatically connects 9-1-1, first responders and designated personnel associated with the site on the incident. Through a simple five button interface, users activate the app by selecting the type of emergency – active shooter, police, fire, EMS or other – which immediately connects to 9-1-1 while simultaneously notifying selected on-site personnel of the location and nature of the emergency. 9-1-1 and first responders automatically receive critical data such as the caller’s exact location, floor plans, emergency exit locations, emergency contacts and key procedures and can deliver critical emergency notifications to on-site contacts.

Integrating directly with Smart911™, the existing 9-1-1 service available across the county, all residents now have the assurance that in an emergency anywhere across the county, 9-1-1 and responders will be better prepared to provide a fast and effective response.

“We are very pleased to have this additional level of protection for our schools and critical infrastructure. We are giving 9-1-1 and first responders the best tool to help them to save time and save lives,” said County Executive Thomas P. Gordon “Now all response units have more information and enhanced communication to arrive on scene faster to help those in need.”